Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a disease caused by the protozoaGiardia lamblia, also known as Giardia intestinalis. Symptoms of giardiasis include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, frequent, loose stools and weight loss. Symptoms may disappear and reappear over long periods of time. It is spread by consuming contaminated food or water or through close contact with an infected person. For more information, see the health unit's fact sheet on giardia

Simcoe Muskoka

The following graph shows the number of giardiasis cases in Simcoe Muskoka between 2000 and 2016. There have been between 29 and 76 cases of giardiasis reported in Simcoe Muskoka every year since 2000. In 2016, there were 38 cases reported in Simcoe Muskoka.

Ontario

The following graph shows the incidence rate of giardiasis in Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario between 2000 and 2016. Both rates experienced an overall decrease during this time period. In 2016, the Simcoe Muskoka incidence rate was 6.8 cases per 100,000 population and Ontario’s incidence rate was 9.0 cases per 100,000 population.

More detailed data for Ontario and each health unit can be found on Public Health Ontario’s interactive Snapshots tool, by clicking on “Select Indicator”.

Technical Notes

There are many factors that influence how many cases are reported to the health unit, as explained on the Infectious Diseases page.

Provincial definitions classify cases as confirmed or probable based on clinical and/or laboratory diagnostic criteria. The provincial case definition for giardiasis changed in April 2009 to include a definition for probable cases whereas before there was no such classification. The definitions of confirmed and probable cases from 2009 onwards are comparable to confirmed cases before 2009.